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what did 'firmament' mean to ancient israelites, compared to our modern understanding of space?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Genesis 1:6-8

God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse Sky. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

This passage is from the opening account of creation in the book of Genesis, attributed to Moses, likely written for ancient Israelites. It describes God's actions on the second day of creation, specifically the separation of primeval waters.

How does understanding the ancient perspective of the 'sky' challenge or inform our own modern views of the natural world and its origins?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Job 37:18

    This verse describes the 'sky' as being 'strong, like a molten mirror,' reflecting a similar ancient understanding of a solid or fixed structure above.

  • Psalm 19:1

    This psalm speaks of 'the heavens declaring the glory of God,' using the imagery of the sky to convey divine majesty, regardless of its physical composition.

  • Proverbs 8:27-28

    Wisdom is depicted as present 'when he established the heavens' and 'when he made firm the skies above,' again referencing the stable creation of the upper atmosphere.

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